Legal Insights
Plain-language guides and case briefs on Philippine law — researched from the firm's law library of 184,000+ statutes, Supreme Court decisions, and agency issuances, and written so non-lawyers can understand and act on them.
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Independent Contractor vs. Employee: The Control Test in Philippine Labor Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when a "freelancer" is really a regular employee under Philippine labor law, using the control test.
Independent Contractor vs Employee: Proving Employment Status in Illegal Dismissal Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies how courts distinguish independent contractors from regular employees in illegal dismissal disputes, emphasizing the burden of proof on claimants.
Independent Contractor or Employee? Supreme Court Clarifies Labor-Only Contracting in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when a registered contractor is actually labor-only, making the principal the direct employer.
Regular vs. Project Employment: Key Insights from a Recent Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies when fixed-term project employment is valid and how to distinguish a legitimate independent contractor from labor-only contracting.
Independent Contractor vs Labor-Only Contracting: Protecting Employee Rights
The Supreme Court clarifies when a manpower agency is a labor-only contractor, making the principal the real employer and solidarity liable.
Independent Contractor vs Employee: How Unique Skills Determine Employment Status in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when unique skills and talent make a worker an independent contractor, not an employee, in Philippine labor law.
Employee vs. Independent Contractor in Real Estate: The Four-Fold Test Explained
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when real estate sales agents are employees or independent contractors, and why the distinction matters.
Employee vs Independent Contractor: Landmark Ruling on Regular Employment
Supreme Court clarifies when fixed-term contracts are invalid and workers become regular employees entitled to security of tenure.
Independent Contractor vs Employee: Drawing the Line in Insurance Compensation
Supreme Court clarifies when insurance unit managers are independent contractors, not employees, and must repay drawing allowances.
Regular Employee Status: Distinguishing Independent Contractors From Labor-Only Contracting
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when workers are regular employees despite agency transfers, distinguishing independent contractors from labor-only contracting.
Independent Contractor vs Labor-Only Contracting: Protecting Workers' Rights
The Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between legitimate independent contractors and labor-only contracting in Mago v. Sun Power Manufacturing Limited.
Regular Employment vs Independent Contractor: The Control Test in Philippine Labor Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when construction workers are regular employees, not independent contractors, using the four-fold test and control test.
Defining the Employer: Supreme Court Clarifies Independent Contractor vs Labor-Only Contracting
Supreme Court clarifies when a manpower agency is a true independent contractor and when the principal becomes the real employer.
Independent Contractor vs Labor-Only Contractor: Who Is the True Employer in Philippine Law?
The Supreme Court clarifies when a manpower agency is a true independent contractor and when a principal becomes liable as employer.
Independent Contractor vs Employee: The Right of Control Test in Philippine Labor Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the right of control test distinguishing independent contractors from employees in Valeroso v. Skycable.
Independent Contractor vs Labor-Only Contracting: When the Principal Is Not the Employer
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a contractor is truly independent, shielding the principal from employer liability.
Independent Contractor vs Employee: Employer Duties in Labor Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a contractor is legitimate, not labor-only, and who bears employer responsibilities in illegal dismissal cases.
Employee vs Independent Contractor: Key Factors in Philippine Labor Law
The Supreme Court clarifies the control test distinguishing employees from independent contractors, using an insurance agent case as guide.
Defining the Lines: Independent Contractor vs Employee Status in Philippine Labor Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between independent contractors and employees, and the fatal consequences of procedural lapses in labor appeals.
Decoding Independent Contractors When Control Determines Employment Status in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies employer-employee relationship tests and the mandatory certificate of non-forum shopping in NLRC appeals.
Independent Contractor or Employee? Control in Insurance Agency Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when an insurance agent becomes an employee, applying the four-fold test and control standard.
Independent Contractor vs Employee: Control Test in Consultancy Agreements
The Supreme Court clarifies when a consultant is an independent contractor, not an employee, using the four-fold test and control test.
When Courts Can Take Judicial Notice of Industry Practice in Labor Disputes
Supreme Court clarifies judicial notice limits, independent contractor tests, and abandonment rules in South Davao Development Co. v. Gamo.
Independent Contractor vs Employee: Employer Obligations for Medical Staff
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when nurses are independent contractors versus employees under Article 157 of the Labor Code.